Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Old Joy #592

May 6th is one of my favorite days. On May 6, 2005 I was in a really ridiculous accident. (I don't know what a psychologist would say about this, but I feel like it's really important to me that you know it wasn't my fault. Ha. Sometimes people just make bad choices and we suffer as a result).With that being said, today, I am 9 years accident free, and I am pretty excited about that. In a lot of ways, I'm so "over it." I have a weird dream, every now and then. Last year, we watched a movie ( I don't remember which one), but it was really violent (oh, that Tim!), and I was like, "Yea. I cannot watch this." Other than that, everything is aces. Getting out of Georgetown (scene of the crime!) actually really helped in a way that both saddened and surprised me. Sometimes, you just need "out," you know? Every once in a while, an older kid would mention it. It's fine. Really. For the most part, no one really picks at those locks anymore, and I'm grateful for it. I'm relieved. I always look forward to this day. It's like my own, personal holiday and I try to do something special. Today, I got to do everything I wanted. I have said this a million times. The time period of 2012-2013 was a real bummer. Around this time a few years(ish) ago, I took a personal day and went to the zoo with Lucy & my sister. If ever a personal day/trip to the zoo was needed, it was that day. My goodness. Once again, today, I got to be The Special Guest when my sister and her kids went to the zoo. Just for fun, here are some photos of previous years.

It was so good being back at the zoo knowing that not only had I survived the last hard year or so, I had come out on top. So. Between remembering my last trip to the zoo & today being what it is, I gushed all day. I gushed and gushed. We had been there for five minutes...we hadn't even gotten out of The Zoo Shop*, when I was like...almost in tears (happy tears). We met a woman holding a snake named "Dune," and Lucy (3) petted her (the snake, not the woman) with "two fingers" like the zoo worker instructed and it was the sweetest, cutest thing in the history of this entire planet and already (in my head) I was like,"Auntie Holls (that's me), you have to hold it together."

On a totally unrelated note, I just feel like this guy really knows how to "do" life. Am I right?

I just spent the entire day being really grateful. I realize, as someone who, according to this study, had around a 15% chance of surviving, I take way too much for granted, but every year, on this day, I try to be grateful. Wow. Is it just me, or was that a lot of commas? My sister's kids (Lucy, 3 & Lucas 3 months), are doing a fantastic job of representing light and magic and joy and everything that is good in the world. (As most children do, I don't want you thinking I am that delusional about my niece and nephew. Ha.).

So. I'm just happy. I feel like I've gotten a 9 year bonus and today I just want to squeeze everyone. I want to squeeze That Tim. Hard. When he gets home, that's probably the first thing I'll do. You can read a previous "Old Joy" post here. I must just really like the zoo, I guess.*Side story. Lucy is really into "Mommies, Daddies & babies." She got this huge, purple snake at the zoo last week...then my mom gave her a little snake so she used her piggy bank money to buy this matching pink snake today. I don't know why I find this hilarious. Baby snake's name is "Hamill?" and mommy snake's name is "Flincher." I said Lucy is really good at coming up with Hipster Baby Names."Hello. These are my children...Flincher & Hamill." Ha. Do you think Flincher is the boy or the girl?